Handling device and method for filling one or several product receiving containers with products and packaging machine with such a handling device

ABSTRACT

A handling device for a filling of one or several product-receiving containers (12) with products (14) includes at least one feeding unit (16) for a feeding of the products (14), further includes at least one handling unit (18) for a handling of the products (14), and includes at least one alignment unit (20), which is configured for an alignment, at least with respect to a vertical plane (22), of the products (14) transferred to the alignment unit (20) by the handling unit (18) in order to feed the products (14) to the product-receiving containers (12) in a predetermined orientation. The alignment unit (20) includes at least one transfer element (24) and at least one support element (32), which are configured to alternatingly hold the products (14) in the product-receiving containers (12) in the predetermined orientation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and incorporates herein by referencethe German patent application DE 10 2022 118 569.9, filed on Jul. 25,2022.

BACKGROUND

The invention concerns a handling device for filling one or severalproduct-receiving container/s with products, with at least one feedingunit for a feeding of the products and with at least one handling unitfor a handling of the products.

Handling devices of this kind are already known, wherein in thealready-known handling devices products go through a plurality ofhandling stations in order to be fed to a product-receiving container ina desired orientation, or complex and cost-intensive handling units,like for example multi-axis industrial robots or the like, are used tobring the products into a desired orientation. Moreover, with thealready-known handling devices an undesired machine stop may occur if,for example, products are in a faulty orientation and therefore afilling of product-receiving containers must be interrupted in order toremove the misaligned product from the production line.

Furthermore, from DE 20 2012 004 631 U1 a packaging machine with atleast one handling device is already known, the handling device beingconfigured for filling one or several product-receiving container/s, inparticular packagings realized as tubular bags, with products, inparticular food products, and comprising at least one feeding unit for afeeding of the products, at least one handling unit for a handling ofthe products, in particular for taking over the products from thefeeding unit, and at least one alignment unit, which is configured toalign the products at least with respect to a vertical plane, in orderto feed the products to the product-receiving container or to theproduct-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation.

SUMMARY

The objective of the invention is in particular to provide a generichandling device, a generic packaging machine and/or a generic methodhaving improved properties with regard to a reliable and procedurallystable alignment of products, which can be enabled in a manner optimizedin terms of cost and installation.

The invention is based on a handling device for a filling of one orseveral product-receiving container/s, in particular packaging/s, withproducts, in particular with food products, comprising at least onefeeding unit for a feeding of the products, further comprising at leastone handling unit, in particular a vacuum gripper unit, for a handlingof the products, in particular for taking the products over from thefeeding unit, and comprising at least one alignment unit which isconfigured for an alignment of the products transferred to the alignmentunit by the handling unit, at least with respect to a vertical plane, inparticular using a weight force of the products, in order to feed theproducts to the product-receiving container or to the product-receivingcontainers in a predetermined orientation, in particular for analignment of the products from a horizontal orientation of the productsinto a vertical orientation of the products, so as to feed the productsto the product-receiving container or to the product-receivingcontainers in a predetermined orientation.

It is proposed that the alignment unit comprises at least one, inparticular movably supported, transfer element and at least one, inparticular movably supported, support element, which are configured toalternatingly hold the products in the product-receiving container or inthe product-receiving containers in the predetermined orientation. Bymeans of the implementation according to the invention, it isadvantageously possible to realize a reliable and procedurally stablealignment of products, such that products can advantageously be fed toproduct-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation.Advantageously, constructively simple and secure alignment is enabled.Advantageously, alignment is enabled that is optimized in terms of costand installation. It is preferably possible to ensure, in a mannersimple in terms of construction, that the product is in thepredetermined orientation so as to counteract undesired machine stops.It is advantageously possible to realize an alignment function in acom-pact construction space. Advantageously, simultaneous alignment of aplurality of products is possible, thus advantageously enabling highoutput performance. It is advantageously possible to provide analignment unit for an alignment of the products using a weight force,said alignment unit having a low number of, in particular individuallymovable, components. Advantageously, a low-maintenance handling devicecan be realized.

Preferably the handling device is configured for a filling of packagingswith products. Preferentially the handling device is configured for afilling of packagings with food products, in particular biscuits,cookies, bars or the like. Especially preferentially the handling deviceis configured for a filling of trays with food products, in particularbiscuits, cookies, bars or the like, wherein the filled trays arepreferably fed to a tubular-bag packaging apparatus of a packagingmachine comprising the handling device. The product-receivingcontainer/s is/are preferably embodied at least partly or completely as(a) packaging/s, in particular primary packaging/s. Preferentially theproduct-receiving container/s is/are embodied as (a) receiving tray/s inwhich a plurality of products, in particular food products, isarrangeable. However, it is also conceivable that the product-receivingcontainer/s is/are realized in a different implementation deemedexpedient by someone skilled in the art. “Configured” is in particularto mean specifically prepared, specifically programmed, specificallydesigned and/or specifically equipped. By an object being configured fora certain function is in particular to be under-stood that the objectfulfills and/or carries out said certain function in at least oneapplication state and/or operation state.

In a production line, the handling device, in particular the packagingmachine comprising the handling device, is preferably supporteddownstream of a production machine for producing the products, inparticular the food products. The production machine may be, inparticular directly, connected to the handling device, in particular tothe feeding unit of the handling device, via conveying devices, inparticular transport belts or the like. However, it is also conceivablethat the production machine and the handling device, in particular thepackaging machine comprising the handling device, are arranged atdifferent production locations and are not connected via conveyingdevices, such that products are delivered to the feeding unit of thehandling device in order to be processed by means of the handlingdevice. The feeding unit is preferably embodied as a transport beltunit. It is however also conceivable that the feeding unit presents adifferent implementation, deemed expedient by someone skilled in theart, like for example an implementation as a chain conveying unit, as avacuum gripper unit, as an electrodynamic conveying unit, or the like. Atransport area of the feeding unit preferably extends at leastsubstantially parallel to a horizontal plane. “Substantially parallel”is in particular to mean an orientation of a direction relative to areference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction hasa deviation from the reference direction that is in particular smallerthan 8°, advantageously smaller than 5° and especially advantageouslysmaller than 2°. The feeding unit preferably comprises a feed transportdirection extending at least substantially parallel to a transport-awaydirection of a transport-away unit of the handling de-vice. However, inparticular in an alternative implementation of the handling device, itis also conceivable that the feed transport direction of the feedingunit runs transversely, in particular at least substantiallyperpendicularly, to the transport-away direction of the transport-awayunit. The term “substantially perpendicularly” is in particular meant todefine an orientation of a direction relative to a reference directionwherein, in particular viewed in a projection plane, the direction andthe reference direction include an angle of 90° and the angle has amaximal deviation that is in particular smaller than 8°, advantageouslysmaller than 5° and especially advantageously smaller than 2°.

The transport-away unit is preferably configured for transporting thefilled product-receiving container/s away and/or further on, inparticular for a further transport of the filled product-receivingcontainer/s to the tubular-bag packaging apparatus. The transport-awayunit is preferably configured as a stepper-conveyor unit, like forexample as a chain conveying unit or the like. It is however alsoconceivable that the transport-away unit has a different implementation,deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like for example animplementation as a conveyor belt unit, as a vacuum gripper unit, as anelectrodynamic conveying unit, or the like. The transport-away unit ispreferentially configured for a multi-row conveying of product-receivingcontainers. Preferably the transport-away unit comprises a plurality oftransport tracks which are aligned at least substantially parallel toone another and are separated by sidewise guiding elements, like forexample guiding plates, sidewalls, or the like. The transport-away unitis preferentially configured for a transport of the product-receivingcontainer/s underneath the handling unit and/or underneath the alignmentunit. Preferably, for a filling with products, the product-receivingcontainer/s can be transported by means of the transport-away unitunderneath the handling unit and/or underneath the alignment unit.

The handling unit is preferably configured for taking on, in particularreceiving, the products from the feeding unit and for transferring theproducts to the alignment unit. The handling unit is preferentiallyembodied as a vacuum gripper unit. Preferably the handling unit has amovement axis along which handling elements, in particular vacuumgrippers, of the handling unit are movable. The at least one movementaxis of the handling unit preferentially extends at least substantiallyparallel and/or at least substantially perpendicularly to the horizontalplane. Preferably the at least one movement axis of the handling unitextends at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport-awaydirection of the transport-away unit. The handling unit, in particularthe handling elements, may be movable along the at least one movementaxis, which extends at least substantially perpendicularly to thetransport-away direction and at least substantially parallel to thehorizontal plane, and may be additionally movable along at least onefurther movement axis of the handling unit, which extends at leastsubstantially perpendicularly to the transport-away direction and atleast substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane. It is alsoconceivable that the handling unit has a different implementation,deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like for example animplementation as a pusher unit configured for transferring the productsfrom the feeding unit, which is for example embodied as a conveyor beltunit extending transversely to the transport-away unit, to the alignmentunit. It is also conceivable that the handling unit is embodied as aconveyor belt unit, as a chain conveying unit, as an electrodynamicconveying unit or something like that. In an alternative implementation,the handling unit may also be realized at least partly in a one-partimplementation with the feeding unit. It is for example conceivable thatthe feeding unit is embodied as a conveyor belt unit and the handlingunit is realized as a pivotable conveyor belt section of the conveyorbelt unit, wherein a transfer of the products to the alignment unit isrealizable by a pivoting or tilting of the conveyor belt section, inparticular a pivoting or tilting of the conveyor belt section around apivot axis of the handling unit extending at least substantiallyparallel to the horizontal plane. By “a unit being realized at leastpartly in a one-part implementation with a further unit” is inparticular to be understood that the unit and the further unit have atleast one component they both use in order to fulfill a function. Thehandling unit may alternatively also have an implementation like thehandling unit already known from DE 10 2020 114 084 A1. Particularlypreferentially the handling unit is configured for receiving theproducts from the feeding unit and to transfer them to the alignmentunit, by means of which the products are transferred to one or severalproduct-receiving container/s, in particular conveyed into theproduct-receiving container/product-receiving containers.

The alignment unit is preferably configured to transfer the productsfrom a horizontal orientation of the products into a verticalorientation of the products in order to feed the products to theproduct-receiving container/s in a predetermined orientation, inparticular in the vertical orientation. Preferentially the products aretransported by the feeding unit and/or by the handling unit in avertically aligned state. Preferably a transfer of the products from thefeeding unit to the alignment unit is realized by means of the handlingunit. The products may be taken on by the alignment unit, already in atransfer from the handling unit to the alignment unit, such that theyare—in particular slightly—inclined relative to the horizontal plane, orthe products may be taken on by the alignment unit, in a transfer fromthe handling unit to the alignment unit, in a horizontally alignedstate. In the case of a horizontally oriented transfer of the product/s,it is conceivable that the alignment unit has at least one alignmentsurface which is supported so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis ofthe alignment unit that extends at least substantially parallel to thehorizontal plane, wherein the product/s can be deposited on saidalignment surface by the handling unit. For example, following adeposition of the product/s, the pivotably supported alignment surfaceis pivotable toward the product-receiving container/s, in particular forthe purpose of changing an orientation of the product/s from ahorizontal orientation into a vertical orientation. It is alsoconceivable that, with a horizontally orientated transfer of theproduct/s from the handling unit, the alignment unit has at least onealignment surface which is angled with respect to the horizontal plane.Further implementations of the alignment unit for a transfer of theproducts into a vertical orientation, deemed expedient by someoneskilled in the art, are also conceivable.

It is further proposed that the alignment unit comprises at least thetransfer element, which is in particular supported movably, having atleast one alignment surface, in particular the aforementioned alignmentsurface, that is angled relative to a feeding plane of the feeding unit,and comprises at least the support element, which is in particularsupported movably, having at least one alignment surface that is angledrelative to the feeding plane, wherein, in particular along a directionrunning transversely to one of the alignment surfaces, the alignmentsurface of the transfer element and the alignment surface of the supportelement are spaced apart from each other, in particular for the purposeof delimiting an alignment gap of the alignment unit by means of whichthe products can be held in an alignment position during a feeding tothe product-receiving container/s. Preferentially the transfer elementis sup-ported so as to be at least translationally movable, inparticular along a movement axis of the transfer element that extends atleast substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane.Alternatively or additionally, the transfer element is supported so asto be movable in a pivot-able or tiltable manner around a movement axisof the transfer element that extends at least substantially parallel tothe horizontal plane. The feeding plane of the feeding unit preferablyextends at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.Preferentially the feeding plane is equivalent to a plane in which theproducts are movable, in particular moved, by means of the feeding unit.The feeding plane may be formed, for example, by a transport area of afeeding element of the feeding unit, and/or the feeding plane extends atleast substantially parallel to the transport area of the feedingelement of the feeding unit. Preferentially the support element issupported so as to be at least translationally movable, in particularalong a movement axis of the support element that extends at leastsubstantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Alternatively oradditionally, the support element is supported so as to be movable in apivotable or tiltable manner around a movement axis of the supportelement that ex-tends at least substantially parallel to the horizontalplane. Preferentially the support element, in particular the alignmentsurface of the support element, and the transfer element, in particularthe alignment surface of the transfer element, are spaced apart fromeach other at least in an operating state. The alignment surface of thetransfer element preferably includes an angle with the feeding planethat is in particular than 180°, preferentially smaller than 90° andparticularly preferentially smaller than 60°. The alignment surface ofthe support element preferably includes an angle with the feeding planethat is in particular smaller than 180°, preferentially smaller than 90°and particularly preferentially smaller than 80°. The alignment surfaceof the transfer element, which is angled relative to the feeding plane,may be realized by an arc-shaped contour of the alignment surface of thetransfer element, with a tangent of the alignment surface including, ineach point of the alignment surface of the transfer element, an anglewith the feeding plane that differs from 0°, 180° and 360°, or may berealized by a bent-off contour of the alignment surface of the transferelement relative to a further surface, in particular to a furtheralignment surface, of the transfer element, with the alignment surfaceincluding an angle with the feeding plane that differs from 0°, 180° and360°. This applies analogously to the alignment surface of the supportelement as well. The implementation according to the inventionadvantageously allows constructively simple and secure alignment.Preferably it is possible to ensure in a constructively simple mannerthat the product is in the predetermined orientation, thus counteractingundesired machine stops. Advantageously, reliable and procedurallystable alignment of products can be realized, thus advantageouslyenabling a feeding of products to product-receiving containers in apredetermined orientation.

Moreover, it is proposed that the alignment unit comprises at least the,in particular movably supported, transfer element, in particular theaforementioned transfer element, having at least two alignment surfaceswhich are angled relative to each other and which the products can beadjoined to during a feeding to the product receiving container/s.Preferably, during a feeding to the product receiving containers, theproducts can be transferred into the product-receiving container/sand/or aligned in a gliding fashion. Preferentially the transfer elementhas the alignment surface and a further alignment surface which isarranged directly next to the alignment surface. The further alignmentsurface of the transfer element preferably includes an angle with thefeeding plane which is in particular smaller than 180°, preferentiallysmaller than 90° and particularly preferentially smaller than 70°. Thealignment surface and the further alignment surface of the transferelement may be formed by an, in particular single, arc-shaped contour ofan outer surface of the transfer element or by a contour of two portionsof the outer surface of the transfer element which are bent off relativeto each other. The implementation according to the inventionadvantageously enables step-wise alignment of the products.Advantageously, alignment and/or transfer of the products are/is enabledin a manner that is gentle on the products. Advantageously,constructively simple and secure alignment is enabled. Preferably it ispossible to ensure in a constructively simple manner that the product isin the predetermined orientation, thus counteracting undesired machinestops. Advantageously, reliable and procedurally stable alignment ofproducts can be realized, thus advantageously enabling a feeding ofproducts to product-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation.

Preferably the transfer element is in at least one support stateconfigured for holding the products already located in theproduct-receiving container/s and in addition the newly aligned productin the predetermined orientation, wherein the products already locatedin the product-receiving container/s are supported on a support surfaceof the transfer element whereas the newly aligned product is supportedon a further support surface of the transfer element which faces awayfrom the support surface of the transfer element. Preferentially thesupport surface and the further support surface of the transfer elementin each case include an angle with the feeding plane that is inparticular smaller than 180°, that is preferably smaller than 120° andis particularly preferably 90°. Preferentially the support element is inthe sup-port state configured to support the newly aligned product by asupport surface of the support element that faces towards the transferelement. Preferably the support surface of the support element includesan angle with the feeding plane that is in particular smaller than 180°,that is preferentially smaller than 120° and is particularlypreferentially 90°. Preferably the transfer element is movable out ofthe support state as a result of a relative movement, in particular alifting movement, relative to the support element, in particular in sucha way that the transfer element is free of a contact with the products,and is preferably no longer in direct contact with the products.Preferentially the support element, in particular together with thenewly aligned product adjoining the support surface of the supportelement, is movable relative to the transfer element, in particulartranslationally movable, preferably in such a way that the supportelement displaces the newly aligned product towards the products whichare already located in the product receiving container/s, until thenewly aligned product adjoins the products which are already located inthe product receiving container/s. Preferentially, the movement of thesupport element for a line-up of the products in the product-receivingcontainer/s brings about a translational movement of theproduct-receiving container/s into a loading position, in particularsuch that a further product can be fed to the product-receivingcontainer/s at a free position in the product-receiving container/s. Thetranslational movement of the product-receiving container/s into theloading position may be brought about by the support element pushing theproduct-receiving container/s and/or by the transport-away unit movingthe product-receiving container/s. Preferentially, in particularfollowing a movement of the product-receiving container/s into theloading position, the transfer element is movable into the supportstate,

in which the support surface of the transfer element that faces awayfrom the support element is adjacent to the product that was arranged inthe product-receiving container/s most recently. The support element ispreferably movable into an alignment state, in which the support elementis configured for an alignment of products fed in by the handling unit.In at least one operating state, preferably the support element supportsthe products already located in the product-receiving container/s, andin at least one operating state, preferentially the transfer elementsupports the products already located in the product-receivingcontainer/s. By means of the implementation according to the invention,constructively simple and secure alignment is enabled. It isadvantageously possible to counteract an undesired tumble-down of theproducts. Advantageously, reliable and procedurally stable alignment ofproducts can be realized, advantageously allowing a feeding of productsto product-receiving containers in a pre-determined orientation, withthe products remaining in the predetermined orientation after thefeeding.

Beyond this it is proposed that the alignment unit comprises at leastthe, in particular movably supported, transfer element, in particularthe aforementioned transfer element, and at least the, in particularmovably supported, support element, in particular the aforementionedsupport element, wherein, in particular viewed along a longitudinalextension axis of the alignment unit, the transfer element and thesupport element are arranged offset from each other. Preferably thealignment unit comprises a plurality of transfer elements, which arepreferentially realized identically to one another. Preferentially thetransfer elements are connected to one another via at least oneconnection element of the alignment unit; they are in particularrealized in a one-part implementation with one another. “In a one-partimplementation” is in particular to mean at least connected bysubstance-to-substance bond, for example by a welding process, a gluingprocess, an injection-molding process and/or a further process that isdeemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, and/or advantageouslyformed in one piece, like for example by a production from a cast and/orby a production in a one-component or multi-component injection moldingprocess, and advantageously from a single blank. The transfer elementsare in particular arranged in an even distribution along thelongitudinal ex-tension axis of the alignment unit. Preferentially,viewed along the longitudinal extension axis of the alignment unit, twotransfer elements are arranged spaced apart from each other, inparticular in such a way that there is an interstice between the twotransfer elements. In particular, the plurality of transfer elementsforms a rake-like structure. Preferentially the alignment unit comprisesa plurality of support elements, which are preferably realizedidentically to one another. Preferentially the support elements areconnected to one another via a connection element of the alignment unit;they are in particular realized in a one-part implementation with oneanother. The support elements are in particular arranged in an evendistribution along the longitudinal extension axis of the alignmentunit. Preferably, viewed along the longitudinal extension axis of thealignment unit, two support elements are arranged spaced apart from eachother, in particular in such a way that there is an interstice betweenthe two support elements. In particular, the plurality of supportelements forms a rake-like structure. Preferentially the rake-likestructures of the plurality of transfer elements and of the plurality ofsupport elements are arranged in such a way that the respective elements(support elements or transfer elements) of the rake-like structures arearranged opposite interstices (interstice between two support elementsor interstice between two transfer elements) of the other rake-likestructure. Preferably, in at least one operating state, in particularafter a transfer of the product receiving container/s into a loadingposition, in particular as a result of the rake-like structure, thesup-port surfaces of the support elements are oriented in alignment withthe support surfaces of the transfer elements, in particular viewedalong a direction that extends at least substantially parallel to thelongitudinal extension axis of the alignment unit. Preferably, in atleast one operating state, in particular at least after a transfer ofthe product-receiving container/s into a loading position, the supportelements are arranged in the interstices between two transfer elements.In at least one operating state, in particular at least after a transferof the product-receiving container/s into a loading position, thetransfer elements are preferentially arranged in the interstices betweentwo support elements. The longitudinal extension axis preferentiallyextends at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane andtransversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, tothe transport-away direction of the transport-away unit. Theimplementation according to the invention advantageously allowsrealizing a compact alignment unit. Constructively simple and securealignment is enabled. It is advantageously possible to counteractundesired tumble-down of the products. It is advantageously possible torealize reliable and procedurally stable alignment of products, suchthat advantageously products can be fed to product-receiving containersin a predetermined orientation and remain in the predeterminedorientation after the feeding.

It is also proposed that the alignment unit comprises at least the, inparticular movably sup-ported, transfer element, in particular theaforementioned transfer element, having at least one alignment surface,in particular the aforementioned alignment surface, which is angledrelative to a feeding plane, in particular the aforementioned feedingplane, and which the products can be adjoined to during a feeding to theproduct-receiving container/s, and having at least one support surface,in particular the aforementioned support surface, for holding theproducts, in particular the products already located in theproduct-receiving container/s, in an alignment position, the alignmentsurface and the support surface being arranged on sides of the transferelement that face away from each other. Preferentially the alignmentsurface is arranged on a side of the transfer element that faces towardsthe support element. Preferably the support surface is arranged on aside of the transfer element that faces away from the support element.The support surface of the transfer element preferably extends at leastsubstantially parallel to the further support surface of the transferelement. The further support surface of the transfer element, which isarranged on the transfer element on a side of the transfer element thatfaces away from the support surface, is preferably arranged directlynext to the further alignment surface of the transfer element. By meansof the implementation according to the invention, constructively simpleand secure alignment is enabled. It is advantageously possible tocounteract undesired tumble-down of the products. It is advantageouslypossible to realize reliable and procedurally stable alignment ofproducts, advantageously allowing a feeding of products toproduct-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation with theproducts remaining in the predetermined orientation after a feeding.

Furthermore, a packaging machine with at least one handling deviceaccording to the invention is proposed. The packaging machine maycomprise further devices and/or units which are deemed expedient bysomeone skilled in the art and which are utilizable for a packaging ofproducts, in particular food products. The packaging machine ispreferably configured for a filling, packaging and/or secondarypackaging of food products. The packaging machine may hence comprise, inaddition to the handling device, a plurality of further devices and/orunits, deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like for examplea forming device for packagings, a cutting device, a filling device, asterilization apparatus, a closure device, a secondary packaging device,or the like. The implementation according to the inventionadvantageously allows realizing reliable and procedurally stablealignment of products, such that advantageously products can be fed toproduct-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation.Advantageously, constructively simple and secure alignment is enabled.Advantageously, alignment is enabled that is optimized in terms of costand installation. Preferably it is possible to ensure, in aconstructively simple manner, that the product is in the predeterminedorientation, thus counteracting undesired machine stops. An alignmentfunction is advantageously realizable in a compact construction space.Advantageously, simultaneous alignment of a plurality of products ispossible, thus enabling high output performance. Advantageously, whilemaking use of a weight force for the alignment of the products, analignment unit can be provided which has a low number of, in particularindividually movable, components. It is advantageously possible torealize a low-maintenance handling device.

The invention is furthermore based on a method for a filling of one orseveral product-receiving container/s, in particular packaging/s, withproducts, in particular food products, by means of a handling device, inparticular by means of a handling device according to the invention,wherein in at least one method step, in particular during a feeding ofthe products to the product-receiving container/s, the products arealigned, at least with respect to a vertical plane, in particular theaforementioned vertical plane, by means of at least one, in particularthe aforementioned, alignment unit of the handling device, in particularfrom a horizontal orientation of the products into a verticalorientation of the products, in particular using a weight force of theproducts. It is proposed that a transfer element, in particular theafore-mentioned transfer element, and a support element, in particularthe aforementioned support element, are alternatingly moved into asupport position, in which the products are held in theproduct-receiving container/s in the predetermined orientationalternatingly by the transfer element or by the support element.Preferably in at least one support state the products al-ready locatedin the product-receiving container/s, and in addition the newly alignedproduct, are held in the predetermined orientation by the transferelement, wherein the products al-ready located in the product-receivingcontainer/s are supported on the support surface of the transfer elementwhereas the newly aligned product is supported on the further supportsur-face of the transfer element. In the support state the supportelement preferably supports the newly aligned product by the supportsurface of the support element that faces towards the transfer element.The implementation according to the invention advantageously allowsrealizing reliable and procedurally stable alignment of products, suchthat advantageously products can be fed to product-receiving containersin a predetermined orientation. Advantageously, constructively simpleand secure alignment is enabled. Advantageously, alignment is enabledwhich is optimized in terms of cost and installation. It is preferablypossible, in a constructively simple manner, to ensure the product beingin the predetermined orientation, thus counter-acting undesired machinestops. It is advantageously possible to realize an alignment function ina compact construction space. Advantageously, simultaneous alignment ofa plurality of products is possible, thus enabling high outputperformance. It is advantageously possible to provide an alignment unitfor an alignment of the products using a weight force, said alignmentunit having a low number of, in particular individually movable,components. Advantageously, a low-maintenance handling device can berealized.

Preferably the transfer element is moved out of the support state as aresult of a relative movement, in particular a lifting movement,relative to the support element, in particular in such a way that thetransfer element is free of a contact with the products, and ispreferably no longer in direct contact with the products. Preferentiallythe support element, in particular together with the newly alignedproduct adjoining the support surface of the support element, is—inparticular translationally—moved relative to the transfer element,preferably in such a way that the support element displaces the newlyaligned product towards the products which are already located in theproduct-receiving container/s until the newly aligned product adjoinsthe products which are already located in the product-receivingcontainer/s. By the implementation according to the inventionconstructively simple and secure alignment is enabled. It isadvantageously possible to counteract undesired tumble-down of theproducts. Advantageously, reliable and procedurally stable alignment ofproducts is realizable, such that advantageously products can be fed toproduct-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation and remainin the predetermined orientation after the feeding.

It is further proposed that a support element, in particular theaforementioned support element of the alignment unit—while at least oneproduct is adjacent to the support element—is moved, in particulartranslationally, and moves the product-receiving container/s into aloading position. Preferentially, the movement of the support elementfor a line-up of the products in the product-receiving container/sbrings about a translational movement of the product-receivingcontainer/s into a loading position, in particular such that a furtherproduct can be fed to the product-receiving container/s at a freeposition in the product-receiving container/s. The translationalmovement of the product-receiving container/s into the loading positionmay be brought about by the support element pushing theproduct-receiving container/s and/or by the transport-away unit movingthe product-receiving container/s. Preferentially, in particularfollowing a movement of the product-receiving container/s into theloading position, the transfer element is moved into the support state,in which the support surface of the transfer element that faces awayfrom the support element is adjacent to the product that was arranged inthe product-receiving container/s most recently. The support element ispreferably movable into an alignment state, in which the support elementis configured for an alignment of products fed in by the handling unit.In at least one operating state the support element preferably supportsthe products already located in the product-receiving container/s, andin at least one operating state preferentially the transfer elementsupports the products already located in the product-receivingcontainer/s. By means of the implementation according to the inventionit is advantageously possible to counteract an undesired tumble-down ofthe products. Advantageously, reliable and procedurally stable alignmentof products can be realized, advantageously allowing a feeding ofproducts to product-receiving containers in a predetermined orientation,with the products remaining in the predetermined orientation after afeeding.

The handling device according to the invention, the packaging machineaccording to the invention and/or the method according to the inventionshall herein not be limited to the application and implementationdescribed above. In particular, in order to fulfill a functionality thatis described here, the handling device according to the invention, thepackaging machine according to the invention and/or the method accordingto the invention may comprise a number of individual elements,components and units as well as method steps that differs from a numbergiven here. Moreover, with regard to the value ranges given in thepresent dis-closure, values situated within the limits mentioned shallalso be considered as disclosed and as usable according to requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages will become apparent from the following descriptionof the drawings. In the drawings an exemplary embodiment of theinvention is illustrated. The drawings, the de-scription and the claimscontain a plurality of features in combination. Someone skilled in theart will purposefully also consider the features separately and willfind further expedient combinations.

It is shown in:

FIG. 1 a packaging machine according to the invention with a handlingdevice according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,

FIG. 2 a detail view of the handling device according to the invention,in a schematic illustration,

FIG. 3 a detail view of a handling unit and an alignment unit of thehandling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,

FIG. 4 a a detail view of the handling unit and the alignment unit ofthe handling device according to the invention during a transfer of aproduct from the handling unit to the alignment unit, in a schematicillustration,

FIG. 4 b a detail view of the handling unit and the alignment unit ofthe handling device according to the invention during an alignment of aproduct by the alignment unit, in a schematic illustration,

FIG. 4 c a detail view of the alignment unit of the handling deviceaccording to the invention in a support state of a support element ofthe alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention, ina schematic illustration,

FIG. 4 d a detail view of the alignment unit of the handling deviceaccording to the invention, wherein the support element has transferreda product-receiving container into a loading position, in a schematicillustration,

FIG. 4 e a detail view of the alignment unit of the handling deviceaccording to the invention in an initial state, in which once moreproducts, when aligned, can be fed to the product-receiving container,in a schematic illustration, and

FIG. 5 a process flow of a method according to the invention for afilling of one or several product-receiving container/s with products bymeans of the handling device according to the invention, in a schematicillustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a packaging machine 42 with at least one handling device10. The packaging machine 42 is preferably configured for a packaging ofproducts 14, in particular food products. The handling device 10 ispreferably configured for a filling of one or several product-receivingcontainer/s 12, in particular packaging/s, with products 14, inparticular with food products. The packaging machine 42 may be realized,for example, as a food product packaging machine, as a food productfilling machine, of the like. The packaging machine 42 may comprisefurther devices and/or units which are deemed expedient by someoneskilled in the art and are utilized for a production, a processingand/or a transport of products 14, in particular food products, like forexample a sterilization apparatus, a filling device, a closure device, asecondary-packaging device, or something like that. The packagingmachine 42 may be part of a production line that is configured for aproduction and for a packaging of products 14, or the packaging machine42 is a stand-alone machine that is configured only for a packaging ofproducts 14. The products 14 that can be processed by the packagingmachine 42 are preferentially food products, like for example biscuits,cookies, bars or the like. Preferably the handling device 10 isconfigured for a filling of product-receiving containers 12, which areembodied as trays, with food products, in particular biscuits, cookies,bars or the like, wherein preferably, in a further production step, thefilled trays are fed to a tubular-bag packaging apparatus 46 of thepackaging machine 42 comprising the handling device 10. Preferentiallythe product-receiving container/s 12 is/are embodied as receiving traysin which a plurality of products 14, in particular food products, can bearranged. However, it is also conceivable that the product-receivingcontainer/s 12 has/have a different implementation that is deemedexpedient by someone skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the handling device 10. The handlingdevice 10 comprises at least one feeding unit 16 for a feeding of theproducts 14 and at least one handling unit 18 (see FIG. 3 ; in FIG. 2indicated only by a dashed line), in particular a vacuum gripper unit,for a handling of the products 14, in particular for taking over theproducts 14 from the feeding unit 16. The handling device 10 furthercomprises at least one alignment unit 20, which is configured to alignthe products 14 transferred to the alignment unit 20 by the handlingunit 18, at least with respect to a vertical plane 22 (see FIGS. 4 a to4 e ), in order to feed the products 14 to the product-receivingcontainer 12 or to the product-receiving containers 12 in apredetermined orientation; in particular for an alignment from ahorizontal orientation of the products 14 into a vertical orientation ofthe products 14 for the purpose of feeding the products 14 to theproduct-receiving container 12 or to the product-receiving containers 12in a predetermined orientation.

The feeding unit 16 is preferably embodied as a transport belt unit.However, it is also conceivable that the feeding unit 16 has a differentimplementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like forexample an implementation as a chain conveying unit, as a vacuum gripperunit, as an electrodynamic conveying unit, or something like that. Atransport area 48 of the feeding unit 16 preferentially extends at leastsubstantially parallel to a horizontal plane. The feeding unit 16preferably has a feed transport direction 50 extending at leastsubstantially parallel to a transport-away direction 52 of atransport-away unit 54 of the handling device 10. However, it is alsoconceivable, in particular in an alternative implementation of thehandling device 10, that the feed transport direction 50 of the feedingunit 16 extends transversely, in particular at least substantiallyperpendicularly, to the transport-away direction 52 of thetransport-away unit 54 (indicated in FIG. 2 as a dashed frame). Thetransport-away unit 54 is preferably configured for transporting thefilled product-receiving container/s 12 away and/or further on, inparticular for transporting the filled product receiving container/s 12further on to the tubular-bag packaging apparatus 46. The transport-awayunit 54 is prefer-ably embodied as a stepper conveyor unit, like forexample a chain conveying unit or the like. It is however alsoconceivable that the transport-away unit 54 has a differentimplementation, deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like forexample an implementation as a conveyor belt unit, as a vacuum gripperunit, as an electrodynamic conveying unit, or the like. Thetransport-away unit 54 is preferentially configured for a multi-rowconveying of product-receiving containers 12. Preferably thetransport-away unit 54 comprises a plurality of transport tracks, whichare oriented at least substantially parallel to one another and areseparated by lateral guiding elements 56, like for example guidingplates, sidewalls or the like. The transport-away unit 54 is preferablyconfigured for a transport of the product-receiving container/s 12underneath the handling unit 18 and/or underneath the alignment unit 20.Preferably, for a filling with products 14, the product-receivingcontainer/s 12 can be transported by the transport-away unit 54underneath and beyond the handling unit 18 and/or underneath and beyondthe alignment unit 20.

The handling unit 18 is preferably configured to take over, inparticular receive, the products 14 from the feeding unit 16, and totransfer the products 14 to the alignment unit 20. The handling unit 18is preferentially embodied as a vacuum gripper unit. Preferably thehandling unit 18 has at least one movement axis 60, 62, along whichhandling elements 58, in particular vacuum grippers, of the handlingunit 18 are movable (see FIG. 3 ). The at least one movement axis 60, 62of the handling unit 18 preferentially runs at least substantiallyparallel and/or at least substantially perpendicularly to the horizontalplane. Preferably the at least one movement axis 60 of the handling unit18 runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport-awaydirection 52 of the transport-away unit 54. The handling unit 18, inparticular the handling elements 58, may be movable along the at leastone movement axis 60, which runs at least substantially perpendicularlyto the transport-away direction 52 and at least substantially parallelto the horizontal plane, and may also be movable along at least onefurther movement axis 62 of the handling unit 18, which runs at leastsubstantially perpendicularly to the transport-away direction 52 and atleast substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane. It is alsoconceivable that, in particular in the alternative implementation of thefeeding unit 16 that is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2 , thehandling unit 18 has a different implementation deemed expedient bysomeone skilled in the art, like for example an implementation as apusher unit configured to transfer the products 14 from the feeding unit16, which is for example realized as a conveyor belt unit extendingtransversely to the transport-away unit 54, to the alignment unit 20.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the handling unit 18 is embodied asa conveyor belt unit, as a chain conveying unit, as an electrodynamicconveying unit, or the like. In an alternative implementation, thehandling unit 18 may also be realized at least partly in a one-partimplementation with the feeding unit 16. For example, it is conceivablethat the feeding unit 16 is embodied as a conveyor belt unit and thehandling unit 18 is embodied as a pivotable conveyor belt section of theconveyor belt unit, a transfer of the products 14 to the alignment unitbeing realizable by a pivoting or tilting of the conveyor belt section,in particular around a pivot axis of the handling unit 18 that runs atleast substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Alternatively, hehandling unit 18 may have an implementation like the handling unitalready known from DE 10 2020 114 084 A1. Particularly preferably, thehandling unit 18 is configured to take the products 14 over from thefeeding unit 16, and to transfer them to the alignment unit 20, by meansof which the products 14 are transferred to one or several productcontainer/s, and are in particular guided into the product-receivingcontainer/s 12.

The alignment unit 20 is preferably configured to transfer the products14 from a horizontal orientation of the products 14 into a verticalorientation of the products 14 in order to feed the products 14 to theproduct receiving container 12 and/or to the product-receivingcontainers 12 in a predetermined orientation, in particular in thevertical orientation. Preferentially the products 14 are transported bythe feeding unit 16 and/or by the handling unit 18 in a verticalorientation. Preferably, a transfer of the products 14 from the feedingunit 16 to the alignment unit 20 is brought about by the handling unit18. The products 14 may, already in a transfer from the handling unit 18to the alignment unit 20, be taken over by the alignment unit 20 suchthat they are, in particular slightly, inclined with respect to thehorizontal plane, or the products 14 may be taken over by the alignmentunit 20, in a transfer from the handling unit 18 to the alignment unit20, such that they are oriented horizontally.

The alignment unit 20 comprises at least one, in particular movablysupported, transfer element 24, which has at least one alignment surface28, 30 that is angled relative to a feeding plane 26 of the feeding unit16, and comprises at least one, in particular movably supported, supportelement 32, which has at least one alignment surface 34 that is angledrelative to the feeding plane 26, wherein the alignment surface 28, 30of the transfer element 24 and the alignment surface 34 of the supportelement 32 are spaced apart from each other, in particular along adirection extending transversely to one of the alignment surfaces 28,30, 34, in particular in order to delimit an alignment gap of thealignment unit 20 by which the products 14 can be held in an alignmentposition during a feeding to the product-receiving container/s 12 (seealso FIGS. 4 a to 4 e ). Preferentially the transfer element 24 issupported so as to be at least translationally movable, in particularalong a movement axis of the transfer element 24 extending at leastsubstantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane (see FIGS. 4 b to4 d ). Alternatively or additionally, the transfer element 24 issupported so as to be movable in a pivotable or tiltable manner around amovement axis of the transfer element 24 extending at leastsubstantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The feeding plane 26 ofthe feeding unit 16 preferably extends at least substantially parallelto the horizontal plane. Preferentially the sup-port element 32 issupported so as to be at least translationally movable, in particularalong a movement axis of the support element 32 extending at leastsubstantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Alternatively oradditionally, the support element 32 is supported s as to be movable ina pivotable or tiltable manner around a movement axis of the supportelement 32 extending at least substantially parallel to the horizontalplane. Preferentially, the support element 32, in particular thealignment surface 34 of the support element 32, and the transfer element24, in particular the alignment surfaces 28, 30 of the transfer element24, are spaced apart from one another at least in an operating state.

The alignment unit 20 preferentially comprises at least the, inparticular movably supported, transfer element 24 having at least twoalignment surfaces 28, 30, which are angled relative to each other andwhich the products 14 can be adjoined to during a feeding to theproduct-receiving container/s 12 (see FIGS. 4 a to 4 e ). Preferably,during a feeding to the product-receiving container/s 12, the products14 can be transferred and/or aligned such that they glide along thealignment surfaces 28, 30 into the product-receiving container/s 12.Preferentially, the transfer element 24 has the alignment surface 28 anda further alignment surface 30 that is arranged directly next to thealignment surface 28. The alignment surface 28 and the further alignmentsurface 30 of the transfer element 24 may be formed by an, in particularsingle, arc-shaped contour of an outer surface of the transfer element24 or may be formed by a contour of two portions of the outer surface ofthe transfer element 24 which are bent-off relative to each other.

The alignment unit 20 further comprises at least the, in particularmovably supported, transfer element 24 having at least one alignmentsurface 28, 30 which is angled relative to the feeding plane 26 andwhich the products 14 can be adjoined to during a feeding to theproduct-receiving container/s 12, and having at least one supportsurface 38 for holding the products 14 in an alignment position, whereinthe alignment surface 28, 30 and the support surface 38 are arranged onsides of the transfer element 24 which face away from each other (seeFIGS. 4 a to 4 e ). The alignment unit 20 further comprises at leastthe, in particular movably support-ed, transfer element 24 and at leastthe, in particular movably supported, support element 32, wherein—inparticular viewed along a longitudinal extension axis 36 of thealignment unit 20, the transfer element 24 and the support element 32are arranged offset from each other. Preferably the alignment unit 20comprises a plurality of transfer elements 24, which are preferentiallyrealized identically to one another. Preferentially the transferelements 24 are connected to each other via at least one connectionelement 64 of the alignment unit 20, and are in particular realized in aone-part implementation with each other (see FIGS. 4 a to 4 e ). Thetrans-fer elements 24 are in particular arranged in an even distributionalong the longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20.Preferably, viewed along the longitudinal extension axis 36 of thealignment unit 20, two transfer elements 24 are arranged so as to bespaced apart from each other, in particular in such a way that there isan interstice between the two transfer elements 24. In particular, theplurality of transfer elements 24 forms a rake-like structure.Preferentially the alignment unit 20 comprises a plurality of supportelements 32, which are preferably realized identically to one another.Preferentially the support elements 32 are connected to one another viaat least one connection element 66 of the alignment unit 20, and are inparticular realized in a one-part implementation with one another (seeFIGS. 4 a to 4 e ). The support elements 32 are in particular arrangedin an even distribution along the longitudinal extension axis 36 of thealignment unit 20. Preferentially, viewed along the longitudinalextension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20, two support elements 32 arearranged spaced apart from each other, in particular in such a way thatthere is an interstice between the two support elements 32. Inparticular, the plurality of support elements 32 forms a rake-likestructure. Preferentially the rake-like structures of the plurality oftransfer elements 24 and of the plurality of support elements 32 arearranged in such a way that the respective elements (support elements 32or transfer elements 24) of the rake-like structures are arrangedopposite interstices (interstice between two support elements 32 orinterstice between two transfer elements 24) of the other rake-likestructure. Preferably, in at least one operating state, in particularafter a transfer of the product-receiving container/s 12 into a loadingposition, in particular due to the rake-like structure, support surfaces68 of the support elements 32 are oriented in alignment with supportsurfaces 38, 40 of the transfer elements 24, in particular viewed alonga direction that runs at least substantially parallel to thelongitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20. Preferably, inat least one operating state, in particular at least after a trans-ferof the product-receiving container/s 12 into a loading position, thesupport elements 32 are arranged in the interstices between two transferelements 24. Preferentially, in at least one operating state, inparticular at least after a transfer of the product-receivingcontainer/s 12 into a loading position, the transfer elements 24 arearranged in the interstices between two support elements 32. Thelongitudinal extension axis 36 preferentially extends at leastsubstantially parallel to the horizontal plane and transversely, inparticular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport-awaydirection 52 of the transport-away unit 54. A description of one of thetransfer elements 24 can be read analogously onto all other transferelements 24. A description of one of the support elements 32 can be readanalogously onto all other support elements 32.

The alignment unit 20 preferably comprises at least the, in particularmovably supported, transfer element 24 and at least the, in particularmovably supported, support element 32, which are alternatinglyconfigured to hold the products 14 in the product-receiving container/s12 in the predetermined orientation (see for example FIGS. 4 c to 4 e ).Preferably the transfer element 24 is configured, in at least onesupport state, to hold the products 14 already located in theproduct-receiving container/s 12 and additionally the newly alignedproduct 14 in the predetermined orientation, wherein the products 14already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 are supported onthe support surface 38 of the transfer element 24, whereas the newlyaligned product 14 is supported on the further support surface 40 of thetransfer element 24 which faces away from the support surface 38 of thetransfer element 24. The support element 32 is preferably configured, inthe support state, to support the newly aligned product 14 by thesupport surface 68 of the support element 32 which faces towards thetransfer element 24. Preferably, as a result of a relative movement, inparticular a lifting movement, relative to the support element 32, thetransfer element 24 can be moved out of the support state, in particularin such a way that the transfer element 24 is free of a contact with theproducts 14, and is preferably no longer in a direct contact with theproducts 14. Preferentially the support element 32, in particulartogether with the newly aligned product 14 adjoining the support surface68 of the support element 32, is movable, in particular translationallymovable, relative to the transfer element 24, preferably in such a waythat the support element 32 displaces the newly aligned product 14towards the products 14 which are already located in theproduct-receiving container/s 12 until the newly aligned product 14adjoins the products 14 already located in the product-receivingcontainer/s 12. Preferentially, as a result of the movement of thesupport element 32 for a line-up of the products 14 in theproduct-receiving container/s 12, a translational movement of theproduct-receiving container/s 12 into a loading position is broughtabout, in particular such that a further product 14 can be fed to theproduct-receiving container/s 12 at a free position in theproduct-receiving container/s 12. The translational movement of theproduct-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position may bebrought about by the support element 32 pushing the product-receivingcontainer/s 12 and/or by the transport-away unit 54 moving theproduct-receiving container/s 12. Preferentially, in particularfollowing a movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into theloading position, the transfer element 24 is movable into the supportstate, in which the sup-port surface 38 of the transfer element 24 thatfaces away from the support element 32 ad-joins the product 14 that wasarranged in the product-receiving container/s 12 most recently. Thesupport element 32 is preferably movable into an alignment state, inwhich the support element 32 is configured for an alignment of products14 fed in by the handling unit 18. Preferably, in at least one operatingstate, the support element 32 supports the products 14 already locatedin the product-receiving container/s 12, and in at least one operatingstate the transfer element 24 supports the products 14 already locatedin the product-receiving container/s 12.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic process flow of a method 44 for a filling ofone or several product-receiving container/s 12, in particularpackaging/s, with products 14, in particular with food products, bymeans of the handling unit 18. In at least one method step 70 of themeth-od 44, products 14 are taken over from the feeding unit 16 andtransferred to the alignment unit 20 by means of the handling unit 18.The products 14 are preferably taken over from the feeding unit 16 andtransferred to the alignment unit 20 by the handling unit 18 in ahorizontal orientation. In at least one method step 72 of the method 44,in particular during a feeding of the products 14 to theproduct-receiving container/s 12, the products 14 are aligned, at leastwith respect to a vertical plane 22, by means of at least the alignmentunit 20 of the handling device 10, in particular using a weight force ofthe products 14; the products 14 being in particular aligned from thehorizontal orientation of the products 14 into a vertical orientation ofthe products 14. Preferably, in at least one support state (see FIGS. 4a and 4 b ), the products 14 already located in the product-receivingcontainer/s 12 and in addition the newly aligned product 14 are held inthe predetermined orientation by the transfer element 24, wherein theproducts 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 aresupported on the support surface 38 of the transfer element 24, whereasthe newly aligned product 14 is supported on the further support surface40 of the transfer element 24. In the support state, the support element32 preferably supports the newly aligned product 14 by the supportsur-face 68 of the support element 32, which faces towards the transferelement 24. Preferentially, in at least one method step 74 of the method44, the transfer element 24 and the support element 32 of the alignmentunit 20 are alternatingly moved into a support position (see FIGS. 4 bto 4 d ), in which the products 14 are held alternatingly by thetransfer element 24 or the support element 32 in the predeterminedorientation in the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferably, as aresult of a relative movement, in particular a lifting movement,relative to the support element 32, the transfer element 24 is moved outof the support state, in particular in such a way that the transferelement 24 is free of a contact with the products 14, and is preferablyno longer in a direct contact with the products 14 (see FIG. 4 c ).Preferentially the support element 32, in particular together with thenewly aligned product 14 adjoining the support surface 68 of the supportelement 32, is moved, in particular moved translationally, relative tothe transfer element 24, preferably in such a way that the supportelement 32 dis-places the newly aligned product 14 towards the products14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 until thenewly aligned product 14 adjoins the products 14 already located in theproduct-receiving container/s 12 (see FIG. 4 d ). Preferentially, in atleast one method step 76 of the method 44, the support element 32 of thealignment unit 20 is, in particular translationally, moved while atleast one product 14 adjoins the support element 32, wherein theproduct-receiving container/s 12 is/are moved into a loading position(see FIGS. 4 c and 4 d ). Preferentially, as a result of the movement ofthe support element 32 for a line-up of the products 14 in theproduct-receiving container/s 12, a translational movement of theproduct-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position is broughtabout, in particular such that a further product 14 can be fed to theproduct-receiving container/s 12 at a free position in theproduct-receiving container/s 12 (see FIGS. 4 d and 4 e ). Thetranslational movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into theloading position may be brought about by the support element 32 pushingthe product-receiving container/s 12 and/or by the transport-away unit54 moving the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferentially, in atleast one method step 78 of the method 44, in particular following amovement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into the loadingposition, the transfer element 24 is moved into the support state, inwhich the support surface 38 of the transfer element 24, which facesaway from the support element 32, adjoins the product 14 that wasarranged in the product-receiving container/s 12 most recently (see FIG.4 d ). Preferably, in particular in at least one method step 80 of themethod 44 (see FIG. 4 e ), the support element 32 is moved into analignment state, in which the support element 32 is configured for analignment of products 14 fed in by the handling unit 18. The method 44may comprise further method steps which are deemed expedient by someoneskilled in the art, in particular derived from the description of thefunctionality and/or from the implementation of the handling device 10and/or of the packaging machine 42.

1. A handling device for a filling of one or several product-receivingcontainers (12) with products (14), comprising: at least one feedingunit (16) for a feeding of the products (14), further comprising atleast one handling unit (18) for a handling of the products (14) andcomprising at least one alignment unit (20), which is configured for analignment, at least with respect to a vertical plane (22), of theproducts (14) transferred to the alignment unit (20) by the handlingunit (18) in order to feed the products (14) to the product-receivingcontainers (12) in a predetermined orientation, wherein the alignmentunit (20) comprises at least one transfer element (24) and at least onesupport element (32), which are configured to alternatingly hold theproducts (14) in the product-receiving containers (12) in thepredetermined orientation.
 2. The handling device according to claim 1,wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element(24) having at least one alignment surface (28, 30) that is angledrelative to a feeding plane (26) of the feeding unit (16), and comprisesat least the support element (32) having at least one alignment surface(34) that is angled relative to the feeding plane (26), wherein thealignment surface (28, 30) of the transfer element (24) and thealignment surface (34) of the support element (32) are spaced apart fromeach other.
 3. The handling device according to claim 1, wherein thealignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element (24) havingat least two alignment surfaces (28, 30) which are angled relative toeach other and which the products (14) can be adjoined to during afeeding to the product-receiving containers (12).
 4. The handling deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at leastthe transfer element (24) and at least the support element (32), whereinthe transfer element (24) and the support element (32) are arrangedoffset from each other.
 5. The handling device according to claim 1,wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element(24) having at least one alignment surface (28, 30) which is angledrelative to a feeding plane (26) and which the products (14) can beadjoined to during a feeding to the product-receiving containers (12),and having at least one support surface (38) for holding the products(14) in an alignment position, the alignment surface (28, 30) and thesupport surface (38) being arranged on sides of the transfer element(24) that face away from each other.
 6. A packaging machine with atleast one handling device according to claim
 1. 7. A method for afilling of one or several product-receiving containers (12) withproducts (14) via a handling device according to claim 1, wherein in atleast one method step (72) the products (14) are aligned, at least withrespect to a vertical plane (22), by at least one alignment unit (20) ofthe handling device, wherein a transfer element (24) and a supportelement (32) of the alignment unit (20) are alternatingly moved into asupport position, in which the products (14) are held in theproduct-receiving containers (12) in the predetermined orientationalternatingly by the transfer element (24) or by the support element(32).
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein while at least oneproduct (14) is adjacent to the support element (32), the supportelement (32) of the alignment unit (20) is moved and moves theproduct-receiving containers (12) into a loading position.
 9. Thehandling device according to claim 2, wherein the alignment unit (20)comprises at least the transfer element (24) having at least twoalignment surfaces (28, 30) which are angled relative to each other andwhich the products (14) can be adjoined to during a feeding to theproduct-receiving containers (12).